Edinburgh is the place to be for new year and in a football sense it's Tynecastle on the second day of 2023 as Hibs first-foot their fierce capital rivals.
It's a huge match to kick off with as Lee Johnson's men look to cut the five point gap on their hosts who have played a game less. For Robbie Neilson's Jambos it's an opportunity to further strengthen their grip on their push for third place.
Hearts go into the game on the back of a 3-2 win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park in midweek while the Hibees are smarting from a 4-0 humbling at the hands of champions Celtic at Easter Road. But it's the old cliche about form going out the window as the visitors look for a first league win in Gorgie for three years. We asked the Record Sport team for their predictions.
Keith Jackson
Hearts looked the part in Perth on Wednesday night even if they made hard work of it in the second half. Robbie Neilson has good options in attacking areas and solid expertise in the likes of Andy Halliday and Robert Snodgrass. With the Tynecastle crowd behind them and Hibs struggling for consistency, it looks like a home win all day long.
Hearts 3 Hibs 1
Fraser Wilson
Hearts are hitting form at the right time and, most importantly, are scoring goals from all over the park as well as having Lawrence Shankland at his lethal best.
Hibs still look far too vulnerable under pressure and although they’ll make a fist of it I can’t see anything other than a Jambos win.
Hearts 3 Hibs 1
Scott Burns
I can see Lawrence Shankland being the difference between the two sides. Kevin Nisbet can cause the Jambos problems but I can see Hearts just edging it.
Hearts 2 Hibs 1
Gordon Parks
It’s difficult to make a case for Hibs against a Hearts side which has refused to buckle despite a crippling injury list. Robert Snodgrass, Barrie McKay, Josh Ginnelly and Lawrence Shankland will provide the quality and the likes of Andy Halliday and Michael Smith will bring the grit to make it eight derby games without defeat for the Jambos. Lee Johnson will know a win for Hibs would change the mood music in Leith but there's a lack of personality or midfield authority within his team.
Hearts 1 Hibs 0
Michael Gannon
The Easter Road side have found a bit of form but it’s still early in Lee Johnston’s rebuild. Hearts are looking strong again and should be too much for their rivals to handle.
Hearts 2 Hibs 1
Gavin Berry
The Jambos are really starting to hit their stride now that they don't have any European football to deal with and it's clear to see why they were fancied for that best of the rest of the finish. You don't know what you're going to get with Lee Johnson's side and the home side can win this one with a bit to spare.
Hearts 2 Hibs 0
